It’s good to occasionally refresh and test your knowledge about systems and procedures for operating your aircraft safely and within its –– and your –– limitations. So, in that spirit we present a few questions intended to get you thinking about the inner workings of Twin Commanders, and normal and emergency procedures. If you do well you just might see more Q&As in upcoming Control Columns.
Questions:
- Vmca is determined with or without a functional NTS system?
- What is the purpose of the main gear bungees?
- What holds the nose gear in the down and locked position in the absence of hydraulic pressure?
- How can a pilot override an engine speed switch failure?
- What is the setting for climb and cruise for a Dash 5 engine, and for a Dash 10 engine?
Answers:
- Vmca is determined with a functional NTS system, therefore it is necessary to complete the NTS functional check prior to each flight.
- Main landing gear bungees provide an over-center geometric down lock in the absence of hydraulic pressure.
- If there is no hydraulic pressure to do the job, the nose gear is held in the down and locked position by a mechanical spring.
- You can override the engine speed switch by pulling the “Engine Start” breaker on the circuit breaker panel, or by momentarily shutting down the electrical system.
- Climb and cruise power setting for the Honeywell Dash 5 engine is 97% N1; the Dash 10 engine climb and cruise setting is 96% N1.
SimCom is the exclusive provider of simulator-based pilot initial and recurrent training for all models of Honeywell-powered Twin Commanders.
